PHILADELPHIA, November 19, 2025 – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology have a transformative role in enhancing learning, research and operational efficiencies, and leaders within Thomas Jefferson University are taking bold steps to incorporate lessons into a wide array of programs and colleges.
With that in mind, the University is working with our faculty, Enterprise leaders, and outside experts on incorporating a free, short course on AI for all current students, with a certificate provided upon completion. Similar foundational courses are also being designed for faculty and staff. The goal is to provide a universal introduction to the fundamentals of AI, while embracing a nimble, forward-facing way of preparing students for the future of work.
“Students are at the center of everything we do,” said Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, president of Thomas Jefferson University. “By integrating AI in the learning experience, we’re not just enhancing how they learn — we’re equipping them with the tools to lead in a rapidly evolving world.”
The university is upgrading curriculum to ensure that a component of AI is embedded across every college and in nearly every academic program. This strategic move aims to prepare all Thomas Jefferson University students, regardless of their field, to thrive in an AI-augmented world.
In addition to asking deans of all Jefferson’s colleges to research ways that A.I. can be integrated into their specific curricula, Dr. Aldridge spoke about the importance of preparing students for the “future of work” in a recent episode of Thomas Jefferson University News’s podcast, which delved into efforts already underway across the enterprise to keep Jefferson at the forefront of these evolving technological advances.
To address the demands of the evolving job market, Thomas Jefferson University launched four new programs to equip students with critical skills for the future. These offerings emphasize artificial intelligence and data analytics, aligning with the University’s commitment to leading in modern education.
The programs include MS in Business Analytics, MS in Data Analytics, MS in Computational Biology & Medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health Analytics Leadership Advanced Practice Certificate (APC).
AI has also made tangible inroads to several academic programs at the University.
The Jefferson College of Nursing is integrating AI into nursing education, a collaborative effort aimed at preparing faculty and students for the future of health care. Through a comprehensive professional development program, the college is empowering its faculty with the knowledge and tools to use AI to augment efficiency and enhance nursing education. Faculty members are already incorporating these new skills into their teaching practices. For example, some instructors are leveraging AI to create assignments that evaluate competency-based learning and guide students on the ethical use of AI, ensuring they can validate information and use it as a supportive tool in their future careers.
Jefferson’s MS in Fashion Design Technology program is harnessing AI to meet the needs of an evolving industry with a data-driven model, integrating mixed-reality technology, allowing students to use headsets to visualize and perfect their designs in a 3D virtual space, moving beyond traditional sketches. This innovative approach empowers students to create purpose-driven clothing informed by data.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College is using artificial intelligence to predict a patient's risk of experiencing side effects from radiation therapy. This powerful tool allows clinical teams to use a patient’s existing health information to proactively identify those who may be more vulnerable. By understanding these risks in advance, clinicians can better tailor treatment plans, provide personalized support, and ultimately improve the patient's quality of life during and after treatment.
“This technology empowers students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and prepare for careers that don’t even exist yet,” said Dr. Aldridge. “It’s about giving them every advantage to thrive.”
The University’s AI initiative accompanies Jefferson Health’s system-wide strategy designed to reclaim more than 10 million hours of clinician time by 2028.
Rather than chasing automation for its own sake, Jefferson Health embraces AI as a tool for augmentation — enhancing the human experience across every touchpoint in care delivery, with focuses on delivering human-centered experiences at scale, accelerating insight into action and building trust through transparency.